Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert implied after fouling out Friday night that sports betting is influencing how games are officiated in the NBA.
Late in the fourth quarter, with Minnesota up 97–96 on the Cleveland Cavaliers, Gobert fouled out after committing an offensive foul with 27.8 seconds left. The center immediately made a money gesture at the referees, resulting in a one-shot technical foul for Cleveland.
Cavaliers guard Darius Garland went on to make the free throw to send the game to overtime. Cleveland would go on to win the game 113–104.
Rudy Gobert gets a technical foul for making the money sign at officials after fouling out. pic.twitter.com/AXdGSkowMU
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) March 9, 2024
After the game, Gobert admitted he shouldn’t have fouled out, blaming himself for the loss. However, he also blamed the referees for seemingly making too many mistakes themselves.
“I made some mistakes. I air-balled a dunk. Mistakes happen. Referees make mistakes, too,” Gobert said, via Joe Vardon and Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic. “But sometimes I think it’s more than mistakes. I think everyone that’s in this league knows. I think it’s got to get better.”
Gobert acknowledged that he will probably get fined but further clarified his comments, saying the increased popularity of sports betting is having a negative impact on the game.
“I know the betting and all that is becoming bigger and bigger, but it shouldn’t feel that way,” Gobert said.
The Timberwolves are currently fighting for the top spot in the Western Conference, currently sitting just 0.5 games behind the Oklahoma City Thunder for the No. 1 seed.
